Thursday, April 18, 2013
The parties have agreed to notify one another of incidents with 'potential racial implications' and to institute special officer training.
The Laurel Police Department (LPD) and Prince George's County branch of the NAACP signed a major agreement Thursday designed to keep open lines of communication between the two and bolster residents' trust in local law enforcement. The deal, reached with mediation by the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Relations Service, comes after NAACP officials asked the DOJ to investigate residents' claims of excessive force and racial targeting by the LPD last year. "The purpose here was to increase trust," Grande Lum, director of the CRS, said at the City Hall signing event. "The purpose here was to improve police-community relations, and I strongly believe that this agreement does that." Under the terms of the deal, the LPD will notify the …
The agreement comes after the organization accused Laurel Police of excessive force and racial targeting.
The Laurel Police Department and the Prince George's County branch of the NAACP are set to sign a mediation agreement Thursday "that will enhance community relations in Laurel," according to city officials. The U.S. Department of Justice, which oversaw the formation of the agreement, will also participate in the signing event. In September of 2012, the Prince George's County branch of the NAACP urged the DOJ to investigate claims by city residents that Laurel Police had violated their civil and constitutional rights and unfairly targeted African Americans and other minorities. That appeal came about a month after a video surfaced showing a Laurel police officer striking a handcuffed man. The State's Attorney for Prince George's County …
Monday, March 4, 2013
In light of the recent teen deaths this school year, the president of the Prince George's County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People wants parents to take more time with their children.
Another teen death over the weekend has added to a tally this school year unseen in Prince George's County. Although county crime statistics are down, six Prince George's County schoolchildren have been slain this year—some while walking to school in random acts and others due to gang violence. In response, Bob Ross, president of the Prince George's County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) wants to bring back the national campaign—"It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?" "There are some simple things that can be done—that parents can do" to make sure their children are not the ones caught up in violence, Ross said. "Make sure your children are home at 10 p.m.," he said. "You can …
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Bob Ross says supporting same-sex marriage is the 'fair thing to do.'
The head of the Prince George's County branch of the NAACP says he supports efforts to uphold same-sex marriage in Maryland. In a video posted Tuesday by Marylanders for Marriage Equality, an advocacy group backing same-sex marriage as it heads to a referendum in November, Prince George's NAACP leader Bob Ross said he would vote for Question 6. “Question 6 gives gays and lesbians the right to obtain a marriage license,” Ross said in the video posted to YouTube. “It is a fair thing to do for all citizens in the state of Maryland to have the right to obtain a marriage license.” Ross is following the lead of the NAACP, whose national board of directors announced the organization would support same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue earlier …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Civil Rights group has cataloged complaints filed against Laurel Police.
The Prince George's County Chapter of the NAACP is intensifing its calls for an investigation of the Laurel Police Department amid claims of excessive force and possible civil rights violation. On Monday, the group held a news conference at the Laurel Municipal Center to announce it was sending letters to the Department of Justice and the Maryland Attorney General's office. Check out the video. Related Stories: NAACP Files Complaint About Laurel Police With Feds NAACP, Residents to Hold News Conference at City Hall NAACP Calls For Removal of Laurel Police Officer
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Amid claims of police brutality, civil rights group to file complaint with US Department of Justice.
The Prince George’s County Chapter of the NAACP announced it will be asking the Department of Justice to intervene in investigating the Laurel Police Department amid claims of excessive force from city residents. Backed by more than 20 residents, the NAACP held a press conference Monday at the Laurel Municipal Center saying it asked city leaders to overhaul its police force and address claims by residents they were allegedly targeted racially by city police. Sign up for the Laurel Patch newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for instant news updates and community conversations. Bob Ross, leader of the NAACP in Prince George’s, said the group would be sending a letter to the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the…
Monday, September 10, 2012
Residents expected to testify to council regarding Laurel Police Department.
Laurel residents and the NAACP chapter of Prince George's County are expected to hold a news conference today at the Laurel Municipal Center at 6 p.m. followed by testimony from residents during a city council meeting regarding recent allegations of excessive force by the Laurel Police Department. Click here to read more. Related Stories Excessive Force Lawsuit Filed Against The City NAACP Calls For Removal of Laurel Police Officer
Friday, September 7, 2012
Civil rights organization wants City of Laurel to "revamp" its police force.
The Prince George’s County Chapter of the NAACP is intensifying its call for the City of Laurel to revamp its police department amid of allegations of use of excessive force. On Monday, Sept. 10, the NAACP will join with residents to hold a news conference at the Laurel Municipal Center at 6 p.m., an hour before a scheduled City Council meeting. NAACP leadership has made several calls for the city to revamp policies of its police department since an officer was caught on video striking a handcuffed man over the face at a bar. Sign up for the Laurel Patch newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for instant news updates and community conversations. The NAACP contends that the city police department has a history of excessive …
Friday, August 17, 2012
Community meeting plots course of action for police slapping incident.
Leaders of the Prince George’s County Branch of the NAACP and community members in Laurel are calling for the removal of a Laurel Police officer who was filmed last week slapping a handcuffed man at a local bar. During a community meeting organized by the NAACP at the Laurel Boys and Girls Club, community members said they wanted the officer removed from duty pending the investigation as well as a stronger response from the City of Laurel. Bob Ross, president of the local chapter of the NAACP, said he wanted the city’s police chief held accountable. “The police chief handled this so badly …the chief should have removed this individual,” he said. The city is "very caviler" about the incident. Sign up for the Laurel Patch newsletter here …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Civil rights organization is pushing for answers on city police lawsuit and will hold a meeting a the Boys and Girls Club Thursday.
No Way
11:54 am on Friday, May 17, 2013
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